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BACKGROUND: Zinc is an essential element for hair growth and may act as a strong inhibitor in accelerating follicle regression, besides being an accelerator for the recovery of the hair follicle. This study investigated the status of zinc in Kurdish adults with hair loss and its relation with each of the four types of hair loss. METHODS: We investigated the zinc status of a sample of Kurdish adults with hair loss who attended the Dermatology Outpatient Clinics at Azadi Teaching Hospital in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. We included a total of 200 subjects in this study, of which 125 had hair loss with a diagnosis of alopecia areata, female pattern hair loss, male pattern hair loss, and telogen effluvium, and 75 were sex- and age-matched apparently healthy subjects without hair fall as a control group. Serum samples were used to measure zinc by colorimetric technique. RESULTS: In participants with hair loss, we found significantly lower serum zinc levels (p=0.002) compared with the control group. The telogen effluvium group had the lowest mean serum zinc level (p=0.006) and higher odds ratio compared with other hair loss groups (4.61). Overall, severe zinc deficiency was found in 12 (9.6%) subjects with hair loss, whereas none of the controls had severe zinc deficiency. Mild-to-moderate zinc deficiency was observed in 43 (34.4%) subjects with hair loss compared to one (1.3%) in the control group. Conclusions: Our results showed that lower zinc status is linked to hair loss, especially alopecia areata and telogen effluvium in the Kurdish population.
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Background Polymorphisms in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and apolipoprotein CII (APO CII) genes have been linked to severe hypertriglyceridemia in several populations. This study investigated the frequency of LPL-Hind lll and APO Cll-Ava ll polymorphism among Kurdish patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. Methodology We investigated LPL-Hind llland APO Cll-Ava ll gene polymorphism in a sample of Kurdish patients receiving treatment at Azadi Teaching Hospital in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. We included a total of 100 subjects in this study, of which 64 had severe hypertriglyceridemia, and 36 had normotriglyceridemia. There were 56 males and 44 females. We used the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique to determine the polymorphism of the LPL-Hind lll and APO Cll-Ava ll genes. Results In those with severe hypertriglyceridemia, the most frequent alleles were H+H+ LPL-Hind lll polymorphism (42, 65.6%) followed by A1A1 APO Cll-Ava ll polymorphism (30, 46.9%), whereas these frequencies were 16 (44.4%) and 6 (16.7%) in those with normotriglyceridemia, respectively. The H+H+ genotype group had considerably higher triglyceride levels and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with the H-H- genotype group. A similar pattern was observed when comparing the A1A1 and A2A2 genotype groups, with both patterns being statistically significant. Conclusions Our results showed a high frequency of H+H+ LPL-Hind III polymorphism in those with hypertriglyceridemia, which may be a hereditary indicator of vulnerability to this condition in the Kurdish population.
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Although zinc deficiency increases the risk of oxidative DNA damage, data regarding the association between zinc and oxidative DNA damage in diabetes are controversial. In this article, we focus on serum zinc levels and its relation to an established biomarker of oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine) in patients with type 2 diabetes, and to ascertain the beneficial effects of zinc supplementation on the level of oxidative DNA damage. The study consisted of 2 interrelated parts: The first part was a cross-sectional study conducted on patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 297) and healthy individuals (n = 188). The second part was an interventional study that enrolled 38 diabetic patients with low zinc status and high DNA damage. The demographic parameters including age, gender, and body mass index were recorded, and DNA damage marker through 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels, and zinc status of serum zinc, was measured. Significantly higher 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels (P < 0.00) together with lower zinc levels (P < 0.001) were found in the diabetics compared to healthy controls. Patients with low zinc status had higher levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine compared to patients with normal zinc status. In diabetic patients, a negative correlation of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine was observed with zinc (P = 0.070). Zinc supplementation showed a significant decrease in 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine by (26.0%) and increased in serum zinc by (42.0%). Elevated 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels in conjunction with low zinc status may indicate a high degree of oxidative DNA damage in diabetic patients. The results confirm that zinc supplementation in this group may help correct abnormal levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine.
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Daño del ADN , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Estrés Oxidativo , Zinc , Estudios Transversales , Desoxiguanosina/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Humanos , Zinc/deficiencia , Zinc/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: There is increasing evidence on the association between lower serum zinc levels and metabolically unhealthy status in normal weight individuals'. AIM: Our aim was to investigate serum zinc levels in a sample of siblings of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to ascertain its relation with metabolic syndrome components. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum zinc was determined in 331 apparently healthy individuals, 201 were siblings of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) and 130 individuals with negative family history of diabetes (healthy controls), with age range 20-40 years. The association between components of metabolic syndrome and serum zinc levels was examined. RESULTS: The siblings of patients with type2 DM exhibited significantly lower serum zinc levels than did the healthy controls (94.1±20.8 ug/dl vs. 103.2±15.6 ug/dl, p=0.012). The mean serum zinc levels were lower in siblings exhibited higher levels of waist circumference, fasting blood glucose and triglycerides. Those categorized as metabolically obese, normal weight (MONW) exhibited lower serum zinc levels than did the non-MONW, but the difference was not significant (93.7+20.9 ug/dl vs. 96.2+18.1ug/dl, p=0.059). The correlation between serum zinc levels and fasting blood glucose was inverse among the siblings (r=- 0.233, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: A low zinc status is present in 13.9% of the siblings of patients with type 2 DM, particularly among MONW individuals. This finding may have clinical implications due to the increased risk of future metabolic disease.
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BACKGROUND: Specific alleles present at the HLA-DR/DQ loci seem to be associated with disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis. AIM: In the present study, our aim was to investigate the distribution of HLA-DR/DQ alleles among Kurd patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to ascertain their relationship with disease activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty five patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 65 apparently healthy subjects participated in the study. Diagnosis and disease activity were confirmed. Blood analyses, including those of laboratory markers of disease activity, were done. The 28 joint disease activity score (DAS-28) was calculated. HLA-DR/DQ typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The association between HLA-DR/DQ genotypes and disease activity was determined. RESULTS: The most frequent alleles which were identified in RA patients were HLA-DRBI*01(23.1%) and HLA-DQBI*6(34.6%), whereas in healthy subjects, they were HLA-DRBI*11(17.7%) and HLA-DQBI*03(35.4%). Patients with active disease had high frequencies of HLA-DQBI*6 (40.0%) as compared to those with moderate disease activity (16.7%); OR=3.33. Patients with severe RA had increased frequencies of HLA-DQBI*6 (56.3%) as compared to those with mild RA (10.0%); OR = 11.57. Patients with positive rheumatoid factor (RF) and positive Anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (Anti-CCP), also had high frequencies of HLA-DQBI*06 (38.4% and 39.4%) as compared to frequencies of 11.1% and 15.4% which were seen in patients with negative rheumatoid factor and negative anti-CCP (OR= 4.98 and3.10) respectively. CONCLUSION: HLA-DQBI*06 was found to be more common in Kurd patients and it was significantly associated with disease activity; this may indicate a high risk for developing a more progressive type of the disease.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Zinc deficiency often occurs in patients with diabetes. Therefore, the relationship between zinc status and progression of nephropathy in diabetes has been explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 300 diabetic patients and 100 non-diabetic healthy subjects (age matched) were selected followed by informed consent and divided into five groups as I: non-diabetic normotensive control; II: diabetic normotensive; III: diabetic hypertensive; IV: diabetic normotensive with microalbuminuria; V: diabetic hypertensive with microalbuminuria. The blood samples of all subjects were collected and analyzed for serum zinc, serum creatinine, and estimated-glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR). Urine zinc, creatinine and microalbuminuria concentrations were determined. RESULTS: The serum zinc levels were low (p<0.01) in diabetic patients as compared to non-diabetic control subjects. The lower levels (p<0.001) of serum zinc were observed in Group IV and V as compared to group I-III. Significantly low levels of e-GFR (p<0.05) and high levels of microalbuminuria (p<0.001) were observed in diabetic patients with low serum zinc level as compared to normal serum zinc level. Serum zinc level in diabetic patients was inversely correlated with serum creatinine(r=-0.331, p<0.001), microalbuminuria (r=-0.587, p<0.001) and positively with e-GFR (r=0.194, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: It is evident from this study that advancing diabetic nephropathy represented by decreasing GFR and increasing microalbuminuria is associated with lower serum zinc levels. It thus indicates the need for determining serum zinc levels and the effectiveness of zinc supplementation in diabetic patients, particularly during the assessment of kidney damage.
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INTRODUCTION: There is increasing evidence on association between vitamin D insufficiency and diabetes, but the impact of vitamin D status on glycaemic status and vice versa, has not been well reported. Our aim was to investigate the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25(OH)D) and the prevalence of vitamin D abnormalities in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type2 and in those without diabetes; and to ascertain the impact of 25(OH)D levels on glycaemic control and vice versa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum 25(OH) D was determined in 337 Kurd patients with DM type2 and in 146 patients without DM type2. Its correlation with the marker of glycaemic control (HbA1c) as well as with anthropometric parameters (age, gender, and body mass index), diabetes duration, and serum blood glucose was examined. DISCUSSION: The mean ± SD values for serum 25hydroxy (OH) D levels of diabetic patients was 25.6± 12.6 ng/ml and those for the controls was 34.1±14.7 ng/ml (p<0.01). The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was significantly higher among diabetic patients than among the controls (53.7% vs. 29.4%, p<0.001). This finding was still true even after the means of serum 25 (OH) D levels were adjusted to those of severe vitamin D deficiency (4.4% vs. 0.68%).Patients with poor glycaemic control had a higher prevalence of low vitamin D status (90%) than those with sufficient vitamin D levels (76%). As compared to diabetics with a good and fair glycaemic control, diabetics with a poor glycaemic control exhibited lower 25(OH)D levels (p<0.01) and a higher prevalence of low vitamin D status (89% vs. 4% and 7%) respectively. Patients with a diabetes duration of more than 5 years also had a higher prevalence of low vitamin D status as compared to vitamin D sufficient group (51% vs. 40%). A statistically negative significant correlation between serum 25 (OH) D levels and HbA1c % was found in diabetic patients (r=0.238, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: A low vitamin D status is present in two thirds of patients with DM type 2, particularly among diabetics with poor glycaemic control and among those with longer diabetes durations. This may reflect the additive effect of glycaemic control on vitamin D status.
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OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of zinc deficiency and the current zinc status among a sample selected from the healthy population in Baghdad, Iraq. METHODS: We carried out a community-based study in Baghdad City, Iraq from November through June 2002. We selected a sample of 2090 healthy subjects (aged 1 month to 85 years). We used a pre-tested questionnaire, designed to obtain information on gender, birth dates, height, weight, residence, habitual food consumption patterns, and social status. We performed laboratory assessment of serum zinc level, dietary assessment of food frequency and usual zinc intake. We considered subjects with serum zinc concentration of <7.7 umol/l zinc deficient and >/-7.7 to 12.3 umol/l mild to moderately zinc deficient. RESULTS: The prevalence of zinc deficiency among the studied sample was 2.7%. We found mild to moderate zinc deficiency among 55.7% of the study sample. Dietary zinc intake assessment showed that 74.8% of the studied sample consumed less than the recommended intake, and in 62.3%, the intakes were deficient and grossly deficient. Mean daily zinc ranged from 5.2 mg in children to 8.5 mg in adults. CONCLUSION: We observed a high prevalence of mild to moderate zinc deficiency, with inadequate dietary zinc intake among a considerable proportion of the studied sample. Zinc supplementation may be an effective public health intervention means to improve the zinc status of the population.
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Enfermedades Carenciales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Carenciales/epidemiología , Suplementos Dietéticos , Compuestos de Zinc/uso terapéutico , Zinc/deficiencia , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribución por Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Niño , Preescolar , Enfermedades Carenciales/tratamiento farmacológico , Femenino , Humanos , Incidencia , Lactante , Irak/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Vigilancia de la Población , Pronóstico , Valores de Referencia , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Distribución por Sexo , Población UrbanaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of anemia in a group of apparently healthy school adolescents selected from 2 distinct socio-economic areas (SEAs) in Baghdad; and to assess the importance of diet and some other factors which could be relevant in the epidemiology of anemia in adolescents. METHODS: A random sample of 1051 adolescents were included in the present study, 46% of them (487 adolescents) were from Al-Mansoor area for high socio-economic area (HSEA) and 54% of them (564 adolescents) were from Al-Horya area for low socio-economic area (LSEA) in Baghdad, Iraq. Collection of data was carried out during the period between November 1996 until the end of April 1997. Hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume levels were determined. Dietary intake of iron, calories, protein and Vitamin C were estimated. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia among adolescents in HSEA was 12.9% compared with 17.6% in LSEA. Hemoglobin concentration in males was significantly correlated with age and dietary iron intake while in females it was correlated significantly with years of education of father and mother, number of pads and age at menarche. CONCLUSION: Anemia among adolescents was found to be a health problem of moderate severity.